Book #21

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels

Marx and Engels's revolutionary summons to the working classes - one of the most important and influential political theories ever formulated. 

As I consider myself cretinous when it comes to politics, I wasn't sure how I was going to fare with this one. An obvious addition to the Little Black Classics range, The Communist Manifesto allowed me to expand my mind, throw myself out of my comfort zone, and force myself to learn.

What struck me most was how non-aggressive the manifesto is. It's an almost caring speech on why the proletarians should care about their own lives and welfare, and a glimpse into how things could be under the power of the communists. Various misconceptions and slander against the party are subtly debunked, and the strong image of the majority overpowering the minority, when the scales are tipped the other way, is an important one to consider.

Marx and Engels' call to arms is almost infectious, and the attempts of the manifesto to set a fire under the feet of the bourgeois is admirable. Of course, it's difficult to imagine a world now where the powerful won't always try to exploit the lower levels of the hierarchy, but the communist declarations are definitely worthwhile in their own right.

I'd doubtless take more from this slender campaign were I better-read, more intelligent, and much more politically minded, however I found it an enjoyable foray into communism, and Marx's mind.